Annapolis, MD - The fourth-seeded Wagner men's water polo team defeated the fifth-seeded Bucknell Bison, 12-9, in the opening round of the MAWPC Tournament, at Lejeune Pool.
Wagner came out strong, with senior Kyle Chambers scoring the first two goals of the game to give the Seahawks an early 2-0 lead. Bucknell quickly responded, and by the end of the first quarter, Wagner held a slim 3-2 lead.
In the second quarter, Bucknell fired back, scoring the first goal of the period to tie the game 3-3. Both teams traded goals throughout the quarter, and the score stood at five a piece headed into the break.
Bucknell scored the opening goal of the second half before the Green & White would match with a goal of their own. The Bison tacked on two more goals and pulled ahead 8-6 with 3:53 left in the third quarter. The Seahawks knotted the game at eight thanks to goals from freshman Matan Friedenberg and sophomore Patrick Ray. With just 24 seconds left in the quarter, Friedenberg struck again to give the Seahawks a one point advantage headed into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Wagner took control as Chambers notched another goal to begin the period and Ray followed with 5:00 left in the game, putting Wagner up 11-8. Then, with just 1:15 remaining, freshman Smith Connors sealed the win for the Green & White as they took a 12-9 victory.
The Seahawks advance in the tournament and will play the first-seeded Fordham Rams on Saturday November 23 at 4:00 PM at Lejeune Hall. The Rams defeated the eighth-seeded Mercyhurst Lakers 30-4 in the opening round.
Goals: Chambers (4), Connors (2), Ray (2), Friedenberg (2), Nahari, Alvarez
